Thomas bridge



(No Model.)

T. BRIDGE.

MEANS FOR SAVING SHIPS FROM POUNDERING, 8m. No. 326,896. Patented seuzz, 1885.

Fig 2 a. a a

wfi%lr N4 PETERS. Phulo-Lilhographur. Wulunglnm D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS BRIDGE, OF EAS'IBOURNE, COUNTY OF SUSSEX, ENGLAND.

MEANS FOR SAVING SHIPS FROM FOUNDERING, 800.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326,896, datedSeptember 22, 1885.

Application filed March 31, 1884.

T 0 all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS BRIDGE, a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain, residing at Eastbourne, in the county of Sussex, England,builder, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means andAppliances for Saving Ships from Fonndering by Collision or Strandiug,(for which I have ob tained a patent in Great Britain, No. 489, bearingdate January 14, 1884,) of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is the saving of ships when in collision oron becoming stranded by providing a flexible lining which operates as acollision-bulkhead, and prevents the hold from being filled with water.

My invention consists of rope net-work and prepared canvas sheeting ortarpaulin with wool and india-rubber or other analogous materials,strengthened by and kept in position by means of timber or otherbattens.

It is placed in position in plaits or folds against the inside of theship in order to prevent its rupture when the side or bottom of thevessel is penetrated by collision or striking on the ground.

By this method of arrangement and the manner in which it is disposed itforms a sys tern of expansive lining which can be fitted to the shipinside when unloaded.

As a means of increasing its efficiency and affording additionalsafety,a supply ofthe same material is carried which can be applied tothe outside of the ship to stop a leak, and enable a vessel to keepafloat when damaged. The inner and outer lines of the section of a shipshown in Figure 1 of the drawings which accompany this specificationindicate the position of the inside and outside coverings, f frepresenting the inside lining, and g g a piece placed on the outside.

When the ship is struck in collision, as at a in Fig. 2, my improvedlining will recede or expand, as also shown in Fig. 2, and thus preventwater from entering the ship or passing beyond the lining.

In preparing the canvas sheeting I use a mixture of boiled oil, redlead, and lampblack; but I do not confine myself to the use of theseingredients for the purpose.

Ona ship thus protected becoming stranded on rocks or on the seashore,the lining which is the subjectof my invention acts in a. similar way aswhen in collision, and unless the ship breaks up, the ship is preventedfrom becoming waterlogged.

I am aware that it has been proposed to provide ships with linings andsheathings of india-rubber, canvas, or like material, for the purpose ofpreventing leaks. This, however, I do not claim broadly. Such linings orcoverings have not been disposed in plaits or folds, as contemplated bymy invention. and therefore are not so readily eXpansible to prevent theentrance of water to the interior of a vessel in case of breaks in itssides.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is- The combination, with a ship, of an expansible liningcomposed of a rope net-work and prepared tarpaulin or canvas sheetingdisposed in plaits or folds against the inside of the ship, in order toprevent the entrance of water in case of collision or stranding,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of March,1884.

THOMAS BRIDGE.

WVitnesses:

Gno. G. DOWNING,

S. Quality Ct, London. J. \VATT,

17 Gracechurch St, London.

